Burrito-ville Blessings

Have you ever been at the wrong place... at the right time? I have... yesterday... and oh it was such a buh-lessing. I had conversations with 3 different pastors from 3 different churches in a span of less than one hour... is God trying to tell me something?



















I planned on a meeting Steve, a local youth pastor, at the local Chipotle. Now I rarely go out to lunch in the first place, so this is a special occasion. So I'm meeting Steve out at Chipotle...but I completely go to the wrong one... and he has to double back to meet me there. I am always encouraged by his perspective on things and his example. This lunch proves to be no different.

During our lunch... I spot, Jonathon, a guy I met in Cincinnati but hadn't seen in 8 years. At the end of my lunch with Steve I go up to say hi. I find out that he went off to seminary in Philadelphia and is now pastoring a church up in Mount Vernon. He just happens to be in Columbus today. We now have coffee scheduled to catch up more on each others story.

As I'm getting ready to leave... I spot Brad, another local pastor, sitting off in the corner. We'd only met once, but I sit down and we pick up the conversation that we'd started a few months back. In just a few minutes he encourages me more than I could imagine.

What are the chances of that? And when it comes to that... What some call chance, I call the providence of God. I'm a pretty relational guy. There are not many things that can fill my tank like a few positive interactions with people. I could not have orchestrated a better lunch... but with chance... I guess I didn't have to.

A weekend in my web

Life is a web of relationships. That is why when considering who you will marry... you should consider the relationships that come with your spouse... because they will become part of your web. That is why when you lose a relationship or many... there is pain and loss... because part of your web is torn away.

So I'm continually weaving and re-weaving my web... and that was the theme of this past weekend.

On Friday Night I played poker with a bunch of my neighbors. I don't really know my neighbors all that well and it was only a $10 buy-in... so I jumped at the chance. I recently realized that most of my friends are Christians... what a shame. So I'm in the process of repenting of my sin, I am on the lookout for new friends. Will you pray for me.

On Saturday morning... I skyped my sister, Stephanie, who is spending the next year teaching English in Seoul, South Korea. I happened to be up at 6:15A, which is 7:15P, and randomly caught her for 45 minutes before she went out with friends. I have not had the chance to talk to her since she arrived about 3 weeks ago. It was great to catch up.

On Sunday morning... I enjoyed the preaching of my good friend Steve. They will post his message from Sunday here, soon. Steve is a gifted preacher and as funny as they come. He has also been a great friend and source of encouragement to me during my time of transition.

On Sunday night... I church hopped with some close couple friends. The place we visited blew my socks off. On your next free Sunday Night, you've gotta visit LifePoint Columbus up in Polaris. The vibe is young... the worship will blow you away... the preaching is solid... and the kids facilities rival COSI. Afterwards we went out for pizza and closed the joint down.

Just another weekend in my web.

Expectations...

So I'm checking out companies like crazy in my job search. I appreciate it when a company is really upfront on who they are... who they are not... and what they are looking for. People who tell you honestly what you can expect from the organization. Unfortunately not all organizations have this process nailed down.

So I was quite impressed today when I saw a job posting that included the companies hiring strategy... called the 4C recruiting process: (here it is)

Competence: Does the candidate have the credentials, skills and experience needed?

Character: Does the candidate have the highest level of integrity to represent you and your organization?

Chemistry: Is there a true interpersonal connection between the candidate and team members?

Culture: Is there a true match between the candidate's professional/personal style that will enable him/her to be successful in the specific work environment?

Getting people who fit in these four categories is how you build a solid team!

An old dog learns new tricks

My friend... mentor... infamous punster... and general journeying partner has entered the blogosphere to wax eloquent on the highways and byways of life. I'm excited that he has finally crawled out from under his rock and is going public with his thoughts. He speaks from a lifetime of following Jesus and from 31 years of formal ministry in a variety of contexts. Yet he continues to grow... develop... and change.

He has recently left a secure ministry position as he takes "getting out of the boat and following Jesus" to its radical extremes. BEWARE: If you read his stuff... he might challenge you to do the same. Check out Denny's work over at Joy in the Journey.

Ode to Ted

My friend Ted was released from his worship duties at Northwest yesterday so that he could fully pursue where God wants him next. Ted has become a close friend in our less than a year together so I thought I would sound off on some of the things that I love about my friend.

I actually didn't like Ted the first time I met him. I don't think I have told him that... but something about him rubbed me the wrong way. Maybe it was his sharp sense of humor... or his California "dude" slang... or his dashing good looks (snicker)... or his speak-his-mind way. Despite all that... I pressed on and spent time with him and Jen and his kids. And as we shared time together we came to understand each other and formed a deep bond. So here is what I love about Ted...

His creativity: He is a truly out of the box thinker when it comes to worship and doing church. From the first time he joined a staff meeting, I knew we were in for a wild ride. He loved experimenting and trying and creating and changing and pursuing. His creativity was on display at the Christmas Eve Service and during the Games People Play series.

His support: He supported my ministry. In fact for our two biggest events ever (the Got Milk and Roadtrip groupLinks) Ted put together a worship band and did a great job leading us in worship. He also supported my personally. He and his wife are involved with our family. We've talked about everything and have encouraged and challenged one another. We know that they want the best for us... they are on our side... in our corner... they are our fans. We would be lost without the Williams'. And we have tried to reciprocate the same for them.

His love for Jesus: Ted loves Jesus and wants that for everyone whom he serves. We have regularly stopped all talking and have prayed together for chunks of time... just seeking the hand of the Lord or peace for a difficult decision. He humbly seeks God and His truth in a way that invites others to join him.

His authenticity: Ted is not good at putting on a show or keeping a secret. What you see is what you get. He is a truth-teller and tells it like he sees it. That scares many people and make others uncomfortable, but I think it is how God has wired him. During our recent transition, a number of times Ted has give me honest assessment of what he thinks should or should not happen. I have come to not only accept that but to cherish that about Ted.

Ted is currently in Virginia with his family awaiting another medical procedure for his six year old, Noah. Unfortunately, he was not given the opportunity to say good-bye to his ministry or the church. I wish he was given that chance... It is hard to bring closure without saying good-bye. But if you feel led, I would encourage you to shoot him and his family some encouragement [ted.williams4@gmail.com] for the next leg of his journey.

Don't change my friend!

Words of Life

These have been difficult days for my family. The emotions that we have faced in the leaving of Northwest and trying to piece together a future have been all over the board. There has been a lot of spiritual warfare. But feelings of loss... loneliness... depression... joy... hope... confusion... betrayal... fear... are regular visitors to our home. Hey I'm just keeping it real. You know how the Adversary fills our minds with lies.

Many friends are tracking our journey and sometimes shoot some encouragement our way. Late last week I received such e-mail from a friend. He identifies exactly with where I am and has walked many of the trails which I have. He has experienced the redemptive power of grace in a way that I have not and may never. So when he speaks I listen. Here is the last paragraph of his e-mail to me.

I pray, my friend, for you and your family every day. I believe that
God is doing something huge through you and preparing you for
incredible things. I'm just looking forward to seeing what they are.
The beauty of God is that, one way or another, the dragon always gets
slain. Sometimes it's just not in the timing or the manner that we
think best.

Thank you my friend for speaking words of life to my family.

Mark the blameless and behold the upright,
for there is a future for the man of peace.
Psalm 37:37

Raleigh in Review

I did fly to Raleigh on Thursday night for a one day trip and half a day of interviews. Thank you to all my friends who are praying for God to reveal his direction in my life through experiences like this.

The uncertainty and lack of control that I really have at this stage in my life is humbling. Then imagine me leading my wife and kids with calmness and confidence when I really can't promise them anything other than God will lead us and I will follow.

I had 3 long sessions of interviews on Friday with 5 different people involved. One of the neatest thing that stuck out to me was the hands-on involvement of HR in the process.

My first session was with the hiring manager and HR. At one point the hiring manager was following a line of questioning and stopped short and asked the HR guy "Can I ask this question?" The HR guy smiled and said "Nope." I quickly realized HR was there to keep the hiring manager in check. The question wasn't crazy and I went ahead and answered the question he "could not ask"... but it put me at ease to see the checks & balances that HR brought to the situation.

I put my best foot forward... but didn't have the best vibe at the end of the day. I should find out in about 2 weeks. I have to keep reminding myself... this is a journey!

I must say that the Psalms have become my friend these days... so I'll leave you with something God shared with me.

But for you, O Lord, do I wait;
it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer."
Psalm 38:15

I'm off to Raleigh

I'm off to Raleigh, NC for a set of morning interviews on Friday from 8-noon.

I sure would love to land a job and get out of this unemployment thing. The idea of supporting my family financially seems so manly.

Prayer warriors... unite!

Full Disclosure

Not too many people or businesses are into full disclosure these days. It seems that everyone and every organization holds at least a few cards close to the vest. There are just some things that you aren't meant to find out.

So as I was looking for a job today... I chuckled as I came across a company that is bending over backwards to set clear expectations up front. This is legitimately fresh off monsterjobs.com

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to walk, sit, and use hands to operate computer keyboard, and telephone. The employee is occasionally required to stand; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

I laughed out loud. I'm not sure I can live up to expectations (I'm only good up to 20 lbs)... but at least I know what to expect.

The pressure is off...

Great news from Christine's OB visit yesterday.

Two weeks ago we had a bit of a scare... when Christine was feeling lots of pressure on her cervix. The doc put her on bed rest. Concerned family and friends have helped with the kids and been praying for us.

Yesterday... the pressure was gone... the cervix was normal and Arley's head was visibly off of Christine's cervix. Thank God. She is still laying low and limiting outside time to about 90 minutes a day. But things have definitely turned in a good direction.

Don't look back...

... or you'll turn to salt.

I've always been abit mesmerized by the biblical story of the destruction Sodom of Gomorrah. In Genesis 19... two angels grab Lot and his family and in order to save them from God's wrath they take them by the hand and drag them out of the city and then exclaim...

"Flee for your lives! Don't look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!" (Gen. 19:17). But it is verse 26 that always gets me...

" But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt."

Somehow she became a pillar of salt... because she looked back. And I often wonder why she looked back. Did she forget to pack something valuable? Did she wonder if God was seriously going to destroy the city? Did she long for the good old days? Did she miss her friends? Was it regret... sadness... a sense of loss?

And then I wonder what is in this lesson for me? Is there something about looking back that can make us salty. And I think so. Sometimes through the circumstances of life... God sends us out to a new future... and we should not look back. We should not live in the past... or hope in the past... or regret the past... but should look forward.

This is a very real thing for me now. Just 2 weeks ago I concluded a pastoral position at a local church without any clarity on what I will be doing in the future. So the past is very real and my future is very uncertain.

And it has been very tempting for me to look back. To wonder why things ended as they did. To wonder if I could have or should have done things differently. Or even better I am tempted to visit the web-site to see what they are up to... what new thing is going on... or what new faces show up.

And you know what... I can get a bit salty. I can become sad... or remorseful... or deflated... or depressed... because I am no longer in the mix... that has past. Someone else has taken over and replaced me.

I have found that it is very important for me to remember that God has clearly sent me out and has a new future for me. It is important for me to take hold of the future and let go of the past. It is necessary for me to embrace new dreams and release old ones. It is more healthy for me to look forward with hope than to look back with regret.... because....

I don't want to turn to salt.

No... and ...Yes

Today is a typical day in my unemployment journey... it was first a NO... then a YES.

The NO: I had a great interview yesterday. The kind that got me thinking through what it would look like for me to have the job. I pictured myself with business card in hand walking in on sales calls. Then I got the call... It always goes the same. "You have a lot of energy, passion and potential" (the butter-up)... "BUT" (I hate the but)... (now the real truth comes out) "this other candidate has more blah-blah-blah that would be a better fit for our organization. One door shut.

...then... the YES: I'm walking in from lunch and the phone rings from a number I do not recognize. It is a manager who received my resume from a colleague and wants to set up a face-to-face interview. I ask some probing questions to clarify the opportunity then hang up. I do a dance and say "Thank you God." Another door opens.

Life is a roller-coaster (see a related post of mine). God will shut some doors... and open others. And whether he is shutting or opening... he has his best interest (which involves my best interest) in mind. Just another day in my unemployment journey.

Keep Rowing....

This past Sunday... we went to our church away from home.. APEX. When we are in Dayton visiting Christine folks (on the left)... we love going to Apex. As you can see by my shorts, flip-flops and coffee-in-hand... I feel right at home.

But look who we ran into... the George's. One month ago Denny (on the far right) and I were both on staff at the same church in Columbus. And now... exactly one month later... we are both no longer on staff and both are looking for new employment. The crazy thing is... we did not plan to meet up at Apex yesterday... we just both independently ended up there. It was great to see familiar faces in a strange land! We are not meant to journey alone.

The message was from Nehemiah 5 and was on the heart of a leader. The pastor challenged us all to have a leaders heart. And there are two things that will challenge your heart.

You find out how good a leader you are by how you handle failure... but you find out how great a leader you are by how you handle success.

Nehemiah... had great success... but he did not let it get in the way of a sacrificial... merciful... worshipful... determined... heart.

At the end of the service I wept. I sensed the reality of the presence of God that challenged me to keep going... and encouraged me to not give up.

Keep Rowing!!

Have voice... will speak

I got a cool phone call last week... but let me set it up.

There is one thing that every seminary students dreams of... their first Sunday morning sermon (at least let me speak for this seminary student). After putting in 4 years of blood, sweat and tears struggling with Greek & Hebrew and things that you can't even spell like Eschatology and Supra-Lapsarianism... you dream of the day when you can stand before the congregation and communicate God's Word to the flock.

I just got that call... last week. You see 10 days ago... I walked away from my first full-time ministry position at a church. And while I taught within my ministry a number of times... I never had the honor of speaking to the wider body. So when I left my ministry... I gave that dream back to God and thought... "I guess it wasn't meant to be."

Then just days later... a friend mine... who is a pastor... a leader... a church planter... and a dear brother... called me and invited me to come preach at his church. It was the breath of fresh air that I needed... which let me know that God is not done with me yet. And really... it is not about me... but it encourages me to know that God has not put me on the shelf.

So pray with me... and for me.. as I will have the humbling privilege of speaking forth God's Word on Sunday, August 26 at Crew Community Church in Huntington, WV.

I KNOW THAT GOD IS NOT DONE WITH ME YET!

How has God shown you that he is not done with you yet?

Sunday's Goodbye Speech

This past Sunday I took the pulpit and said goodbye to my first full-time pastoral role. I put the video here (I hope not for self-promotion) but for my friends who were out of town and missed the announcement.



Watching this again... is a bit of an out of body experience for me. I came across a lot more serious than I really intended. I wanted it to be light... but it seemed a bit heavy. I wanted it to by joyful... but it seemed a bit tense.

But it was a real joy and even fun to look the church in the eyes and share this news with them. It is really an entirely different view from the stage. And for many close friends... although we won't be worshipping together... this is not good-bye... just until next time.

I believe I can fly...

...well not really... but when I was a kid I used to daydream about it. I wondered what it felt like to soar above the trees and houses and cars. How I would take off... how I would land... It really fascinated me... but alas it was just a dream.

You know the older I've become the more I've lost the art of dreaming. I'm too caught up in the practical... in the real... in the must be's. And I've lost track of the what if's... what might's... and what could be's...

That is why I enjoyed the breakfast I shared with a good friend this morning. It was more of a dream session. Just being with this friend sparks my imagination to wonder and question and to... well... dream.

I've found that dreaming about... my marriage... my kids... my career... my church... in some way invigorates me to approach each area of life on a higher plane. It feeds my ideals and frees me to see obstacles as opportunities to grow and improve.

So today I was encouraged to DREAM... and I want to invite you to do the same. You are free to dream about your family... your faith... your church... your job... your next job... your community. What if you could not only dream... but could make those dreams a reality.

You may not fly... but you will attack life with a hope and excitement that is reserved for dreamers.

The first turn...bedrest

I am quite unexpectedly sitting in a local Panera... after having dropped Caden off at zoo preschool, with a grocery list in my hands. It started this morning with a regular OB visit to check on the pregnancy. Our doctor triple confirmed we are having a girl (yay)... then noticed that Christine's cervix is on the thin-side (huh).

She nearly sent us to the hospital for more monitoring.... at 24 weeks... and definitely put Christine on strict bed rest.... indefinitely for the next 3 months. So what is up with that? Sunday was my last day at Northwest. I cleaned out my office yesterday (it was supposed to be today... but got moved to yesterday). And now I am indefinitely "not busy" for the next couple of months (besides the finding a job thing).

My only response is to thank God for coming behind us! You know I've been praying that God would go before us... but I've never asked him to come behind us.

I came across the idea when reading in Exodus 13 & 14 this morning. The Israelites are promised that God will lead them with a cloud by day & fire by night. A visible sign that the Lord was going before them. But in these two chapters... where the Egyptians are hot on their tails... the cloud of God moves behind them to protect them by confusing the Egyptians.

For the past few weeks all I have thought about is saying good-bye to the people that I have served with for the past 3 years. I knew it would be a challenge. I could see it coming. But I could only see as far as Sunday... my BIG GOOD-BYE. And all the time I was asking God to go before me and make the path straight.

So this morning I awoke thinking that a big part of this transition was behind me. And we go to the doctor... and get this unexpected news... that will change the way we live for the next 3 months. And I can look back and see that God had provided for us to take on this new challenge with a fresh focus. He knew that something (Christine's pregnancy) was sneaking up on us from behind and he freed me up to more a more hands on... more supportive... more stay-at-homeish... more focused Dad... for our upcoming hi-risk pregnancy.

God went behind us. Thank you God.

Good-bye Letter

I spent all day cleaning out my office, clearing up some last minute expenses and turning in my laptop. In the process the reality of the end of my ministry here has slowly begun to sunk in.

I've also heard from a number of people who were not at church on Sunday and have heard "through the grape-vine" about our leaving Northwest. I must say that I have been overwhelmed by the love and support that we have received.

So for those who missed my memorable good-bye speech at church (sshhhh.... aawwwww... grrrrr...), here is a copy of the letter that I sent out last week to the young adults in my ministry.

**********************

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Dear Seven27 Family,

This summer is a season of new beginnings for the Burkle family. As you may have heard, we are expecting our first girl (to say Christine is excited is the understatement of the year). So around November 12, 2007 we are expecting and praying for the healthy birth of Arley Christine Burkle. Yay!

New beginnings are often both exciting and scary… that is where faith comes in. There is lyric in the song “Closing Time” by the band Semisonic which says… “every new beginning comes with some other beginning’s end.” And in line with that, I am writing to share with you that our time on staff with Northwest Bible Church is coming to a close, and God is slowly revealing where he wants us to be.

In fact, our last Sunday on staff at Northwest is this Sunday, July 22. It might seem quick or sudden to you, but let me assure you that this is a journey that God has been guiding both us and the leaders of Northwest through for a while.

I want you to know that it is not just one thing that has sprung up… but that God has worked in a multitude of ways to make it clear to us and to the leadership of Northwest that now is the best time for this decision. In this process we have seen how God has been faithful to us and to Northwest and that in this decision we expect him to do great things in each of our lives.

We do not yet know what we will be doing or where we will be heading, but we are comforted by God’s presence and the graciousness of the leadership at Northwest to help us during this time of transition. We feel an amazing sense of peace that this is exactly what God wants for us and that this is best for Northwest and our family.

Finally, I want to thank you…. our extended family here at Northwest… for making our lives richer and fuller during these past three years. The memories we have with you and the ways in which you have loved and supported us will impact us forever.

I would have rather shared this with you in person, but this was just not possible. We will share this news with the rest of the church this Sunday… but wanted you to be the first to hear what God is doing in our lives.

Please feel free to call us or stop by anytime. We do have a Seven27 Open House scheduled at Bob Hart’s place on Tuesday, July 24 at 6:30pm so that we can share one last time together.

We have found that the Lord has quieted our fears and rested our troubled hearts during this time of God ordained transition. May this same God give you comfort as you face the transitions of your life.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him
and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

We will miss you dearly,

Clay, Christine, Caden, Griffin and Arley Burkle

A New Chapter...

Today was my last day as a pastor on staff at Northwest Bible Church. It has been a move that Christine and I have been feeling for a while and the decision really sped up in last few weeks.

And now after 3 1/2 years on staff... we are done. I've got nothing lined up... other than a bunch of dreams and lot of energy. The timing is crazy. No sooner had I seen my friend & mentor Denny leave with nothing lined up... then it was my turn.

I had the chance to share the news with the church this morning... and some were hearing it for the first time. It was hard to say "Hey, by the way, this is our last day here." But the people were gracious and made the day a very positive experience.

Tomorrow I will wake up... attack the day... and see what God has waiting for me.